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Karla Fettich, PhD
I am enthusiastic about using my skills, expertise and time to make a lasting positive impact in the community. Professionally, my work seeks to improve healthcare for aging individuals, and has earned an Excellence in Technology Award for Dignity in Long-Term Care. Personally, I coordinate efforts to increase diversity in the Philadelphia data science community, reduce the number of homeless animals in the city and facilitate care and recovery for those experiencing opioid addiction.
Education
I speak several languages including German (native), Romanian (native), French (basic) and Spanish (basic).
PhD, Psychology Neuroscience
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA
2016 - 2011
- Dissertation: Coordinated neuromorphology in the development of social information processing
- Advanced Training Institute on Exploratory Data Mining in Behavioral Research
BA, Psychology
Jacobs University Bremen
Bremen, Germany
2005 - 2002
Industry Experience
Head of Analytics
Orchestrall, Inc.
Conshohocken, PA
present - 2020
- Lead healthcare data science consulting projects to derive insights from clinical data and multidisciplinary teams
- Develop and test predictive models for operational implementation
- Select optimal tools for statistical modeling, including decision trees, logistic regression, conditional inference forests, multiple imputation
Head of Algorithm Development
Orchestrall, Inc.
Conshohocken, PA
2019 - 2015
- Develop algorithms to power intelligent healthcare applications for the senior care market, including outcome prediction, anomaly detection, and logistics optimization
- Conduct end-to-end analyses including study design, data identification/collection, ETL, analysis, and communication of findings
- Implement analytical models into production through collaborations with the software development team
- Build and prototype analysis pipelines iteratively to provide insights at scale
Research Experience
Graduate Research Assistant
Neurocognition Lab
Temple University
2016 - 2013
- Introduced and applied machine learning techniques (e.g. support vector machines, multivoxel pattern analysis, graph theory, network analysis) and high performance computing tools to advance neuroimaging research
- Assessed new data sources for value creation, attracting new research opportunities through a large, multi-site research network
- Evaluated and communicated technical advantages and tradeoffs between statistical models
- Solved difficult, non-routine analysis problems using large, complex data sets
- Provided guidance with data analysis and coding to research assistants
Graduate Clinical Research Assistant
Mechanisms of Affect Dysregulation Lab
Temple University
2013 - 2011
- Supported and executed a wide range of clinical psychology studies including survey research, clinical treatment trials, neuroimaging studies, and secondary data research
- Designed and conducted a neuroimaging research study assessing affective risk factors in clinical populations
- Collaborated with the research coordinator, graduate and undergraduate students, as well as researchers from other sites to deliver high-quality peer-reviewed publications and academic conference presentations
Lead Clinical Research Coordinator
Adult Eating and Weight Disorders Clinic
The University of Chicago
2011 - 2009
- Planned and conducted statistical analyses of cross-sectional, time series, epidemiological, health outcomes and clinical data
- Optimized clinical participant recruitment and retention through data analytics
- Coordinated recruitment, screening, intake, assessment, treatment and follow-up stages several research projects, including a large NIMH-funded clinical trial and pilot studies using psychophysiological data (fMRI, RSA)
- Contributed to manuscript preparation for peer-reviewed publications and gave conference presentations
I have extensive experience with academic research, including clinical trials and studies using neuroimaging and psychophysiological data.
Teaching Experience
Graduate Teaching Assistant and Lab Instructor
Statistics
Temple University
2014
- Taught weekly introductory statistics lab sections (75 undergraduate students) with positive student feedback
- Provided one-on-one tutoring and exam preparation on an as-needed basis
- Administered and corrected exams and liaised between students and the course instructor
Community Data Projects
I enjoy learning via hands-on projects that have a real and positive impact, and I seek to create opportunities to make this type of learning available to the wider community.
Partner Organization Liaison
PAWS Animal Returns & Clinic No-Shows
R-Ladies Philadelphia
present - 2020
- Work with the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society’s Director of Operations to understand their needs and translate them into relevant analytics projects
- Collaborate with project leader and team members and provide input on analyses and interpretations
- Conduct ad-hoc analyes and data exploration
Project Leader
PAWS Data Pipeline with Code for Philly
Code for Philly
present - 2019
- Lead a team to create a 360-degree view of PAWS’ constituents to help development and operations
- Work closely with project management team, peer data scientists, engineers, developers and Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society representatives to build a data lake
- Oversee team efforts in data processing, cleansing, and verifying data integrity
Organizer
Opioid Epidemic Data Science Collaboration
R-Ladies Philadelphia, Code for Philly
2020
- Collaborated with organizing team to develop vision, strategy and infrastructure for hackathon, and ensure successful event planning
- Identify relevant data sources and preprocess data provided by partner organizations
- Oversee teams and ensure that they are on track for the project deadlines
Datathon Project Leader
2018 Volunteer Engagement and 2019 Animal Adoptions
R-Ladies Philadelphia
2019 - 2018
- Consulted with Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society representatives to articulate business questions and translate them into viable analytics projects for volunteer data scientists
- Designed hackathon and managed the end-to-end process, from initial discussions with PAWS, recruitment of volunteers, ongoing monitoring and coordination of work, and final report editing and completion
- Ensured that statistically-derived insights were translated into clear and actionable business recommendations
Selected Publications
The interactive effects of peers and alcohol on functional brain connectivity in young adults
NeuroImage
N/A
2019
At risk of being risky: The relationship between “brain age” under emotional states and risk preference
Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience
N/A
2017
Amygdala hyperactivation to angry faces in intermittent explosive disorder
Journal of Psychiatric Research
N/A
2016
Loneliness mediates the relationship between emotion dysregulation and bulimia nervosa/binge eating disorder psychopathology in a clinical sample
Eating and Weight Disorders
N/A
2013
Coping With Obesity Stigma Affects Depressed Mood in African-American and White Candidates for Bariatric Surgery
Obesity
N/A
2012
Correlates of Suicidal Ideation and/or Behavior in Bariatric-Surgery-Seeking Individuals With Severe Obesity
Crisis
N/A
2012
Factors Associated with Suicide Ideation in Severely Obese Bariatric Surgery-Seeking Individuals
Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior
N/A
2012
Volunteer Work
Organizer
Philadelphia, PA
present - 2018
- Work to increase gender diversity in the data science community in Philadelphia
- Create learning, networking and leadership opportunities for over 1000 members via monthly meetups focused on R and collaborations with other data groups in the city
Volunteer, Mentor
Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society (PAWS)
Philadelphia, PA
present - 2016
- Help with dog care and train new volunteers on all aspects of dog care volunteer shifts
Disclaimer
Last updated on 2020-11-20.